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Community Events

EverCare Choice Member Advisory Committee Meeting

As an EverCare Choice member, we’d like to invite you to join us for a virtual round-table to discuss your feedback and ideas!
 
Discussion topics will include:
 
  • Review of quality items
  • Industry and regulatory changes as it relates to member care and services
  • Member satisfaction
  • Service delivery concerns
  • Member input and feedback
 
WHEN: Thursday, March 24, 2022 | 2 PM – 3 PM
 
WHERE: Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone via Zoom.
 
HOW: Register by calling (845) 779-3053.
 

 

Press Releases

EverCare Announces New Fast Track Joint Replacement Rehabilitation Program

Newburgh, N.Y. – EverCare At Home, a Medicare-Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA) in the Hudson Valley, has recently announced the launch of its new Fast Track Joint Replacement Rehabilitation Program.

The EverCare At Home Fast Track Joint Replacement Rehabilitation Program – offered in Orange, Dutchess, and Rockland counties – was developed to help patients recover faster and more completely after full hip or knee replacement surgery by integrating the expertise of the orthopedic surgeon with the knowledge and experience of EverCare’s Rehabilitation Nursing/Therapy team. This approach offers a seamless transition directly from a hospital or surgical center, to the patients’ homes, to outpatient rehabilitation; this provides patients with a more effective track to recovery.

“Through Fast Track, we are able to maximize the success of patients’ surgeries by enabling them to return directly to the safety of their homes with the physical support necessary to achieve maximum mobility in the shortest possible period of time,” said EverCare President and CEO Sylvia McTigue. “During this time of COVID-19, our patients are able to remain safely at home with the support of their family without isolation or concerns related to current restrictions on inpatient visitation.”

Other benefits of EverCare At Home’s Fast Track Joint Replacement Rehabilitation Program include:

  • Reduced exposure to infection at a time when the patient is most susceptible
  • Personalized Plan of Care developed to adapt to each patient’s specific needs within his or her own home
  • 24 x 7 access to nurses to answer questions and respond to any concerns that may arise
  • Expedited integrated process through TeleHealth
  • Thorough home assessment to assess safety concerns and identify necessary medical equipment
  • Instruction to minimize postoperative swelling which can impede recovery
  • Maximization of safe mobility and function in the home and expedited return to the community
  • A seamless transition from the surgical location to the security of the home

“Research has taught us that patients who receive individualized, customized care following joint replacement surgery have a higher chance at an improved, shorter recovery,” said EverCare Director of Rehabilitation Jeff Goldman. “Through Fast Track, we are able to maximize the success of joint replacement surgeries by providing the necessary support patients need – in the comfort of their own home.”

EverCare has received accreditation from Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP), which reflects a commitment and dedication to delivering quality patient care and adherence to the industry’s highest nationally recognized standards. EverCare has also achieved Compliance Program Certification by the Health Ethics Trust, demonstrating that it meets or exceeds compliance with distinguished caliber.

EverCare At Home, a Medicare-Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA), provides quality home health care to patients who may be managing an existing condition, recovering from an injury or illness, or working to restore self-sufficiency. Through individualized care plans, EverCare professionals are able to provide health care services to patients in the privacy and comfort of their own homes. The Fast Track Joint Replacement Rehabilitation Program is a component of EverCare’s existing speciality programming services.

In addition to the Fast Track Joint Replacement Rehabilitation Program, EverCare At Home also provides a number of additional key CHHA services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy; nutritional evaluation and planning; skilled nursing; home health aides; social work; medical supplies, equipment and appliances; and more.

EverCare At Home also offers TeleHealth, which provides distribution of health-related services and information via electronic information and telecommunication technologies. Through TeleHealth, EverCare At Home is able to coordinate long-distance patient and clinician contact, care, advice, reminders, education, intervention, monitoring, and remote admissions.

Those interested in learning more about EverCare At Home and its new TeleHealth and Fast Track Joint Replacement programs may visit www.evercare.org.

Press Releases

EverCare Announces New TeleHealth Program

Newburgh, N.Y. – EverCare At Home, a non-profit organization providing Certified Home Health services in the Hudson Valley, has recently announced the addition of a new cutting-edge service: the TeleHealth Program.

EverCare at Home, a Medicare-Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA), provides quality home health care to patients who may be managing an existing condition, recovering from an injury or illness, or working to restore self-sufficiency. Through individualized care plans, EverCare professionals are able to provide healthcare services to patients in the privacy and comfort of their own homes. The TeleHealth Program is an expansion of EverCare’s existing CHHA services.

TeleHealth provides for distribution of health-related services and information via electronic information and telecommunication technologies. It allows long-distance patient and clinician contact, care, advice, reminders, education, intervention, monitoring, and remote admissions.

“The COVID-19 pandemic caused the healthcare industry to rethink healthcare delivery,” said EverCare President and CEO Sylvia McTigue. “Through TeleHealth, we are able to provide effective, virtual healthcare services necessary to monitor and quickly address the ever-changing healthcare needs and conditions of our patients.”

EverCare At Home’s new TeleHealth program seeks to provide healthcare at patients’ fingertips by providing two-way communication between the patient, the family/caregivers, and EverCare clinical staff. Through TeleHealth, EverCare professionals are able to provide more frequent assessments, education, and prompt response and intervention to potential problems.

Through TeleHealth, EverCare At Home will now be able to provide greater access to quality healthcare for an expanded number of patients in their homes, reduce re-hospitalization through education and self-management, and decrease response time to changes in condition. The program is appropriate for those who are homebound, who have suffered a recent change in health condition, or who have recently received an acute diagnosis.

“This new program is the exciting marriage of innovative technology with quality healthcare,” said EverCare Director of Patient Services Sioban Wynne. “With our new TeleHealth capabilities, EverCare will be able to implement and coordinate services to the highest efficiency for patients. This includes collaboration with area hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, primary care physicians, and direct care staff. We are excited to be on the forefront of this new, evolved level of medical care.”

In addition to TeleHealth, EverCare At Home also provides a number of additional key CHHA services, including its Fast Track Joint Replacement Rehabilitation Program; physical, occupational, and speech therapy; nutritional evaluation and planning; skilled nursing; home health aides; social work; medical supplies, equipment, and appliances; and more.

Those interested in learning more about EverCare, EverCare At Home, and the new TeleHealth Program may visit www.evercare.org.

Ask EverCare's CMO

Flu & You

FLU BASICS:

“Flu” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.

Symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Body aches
  • Chills
  • Fatigue

The flu can be mild or serious (causing hospitalization or even death!). Those of high risk for contracting the flu, as well as facing complications, include children (especially younger than 2 years old), adults 65 years and older (especially those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, kidney and liver illness, and residents of long-term healthcare facilities), and pregnant women.

HOW TO PREVENT THE FLU:

  1. Practice good health habits including covering coughs, washing hands often, and avoiding people who appear sick.
  2. Get your annual (since the vaccine is updated every year) flu shot, beginning in October. Also, ask your doctor about a pneumococcal (a flu-related complication) shot.
  3. Seek medical advice if you develop flu symptoms. Your healthcare provider may give you special (anti-viral) medication if you catch it early enough.

FLU MYTHS:

Q: Can the flu vaccine give you the flu?

A: No.

Because the virus used to make the flu shot is inactivated (“killed”), only minor and short-lived side effects, including soreness and redness at the injection site, low-grade fever and aches, may occur after the flu shot.

Q: Can I get the flu vaccine if I’m allergic to eggs?

A: Yes.

The recommendations for vaccination of people with egg allergy have changed for 2016-2017: People with egg allergies may receive any age-appropriate influenza vaccine and no longer need to be monitored.

WE AT EVERCARE WANT OUR MEMBERS TO BE SAFE AND HEALTHY. ASK YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER FOR THE FLU SHOT – FOR YOU AND FOR THE ONES YOU LOVE!

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Taking Care of Your Teeth & Mouth

Besides a BIG BRIGHT SMILE…
…healthy teeth and gums make it easy for you to eat well and enjoy food!

TOOTH DECAY

Brushing and flossing may reduce plaque and decay, but once a cavity forms, a dentist must fix it.

Fluoride toothpaste helps protect against decay, but if you are at a higher risk (for example, dry mouth from certain medications or medical conditions), you may need additional fluoride treatments. Your dentist or hygienist may give you fluoride treatments, or tell you to use a fluoride mouth rinse at home.

GUM DISEASE

If plaque builds up under your gumline, your gums may be tender and bleed. This is an infection called “gingivitis” and may be reduced by brushing and flossing every day. If gingivitis becomes severe, a dentist must become involved to prevent damage to adjacent bones, gums and other tissues.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR TEETH & GUMS

BE GENTLE:

  1. Use a soft toothbrush (electric/battery-operated may be helpful for arthritis, but is not necessary).
  2. Brush slowly in circular motions.
  3. Lightly brush your tongue.
  4. Floss once a day (if excessive bleeding, see your dentist).

DENTURE CARE

  • Keep your dentures clean.
  • Avoid foods that are “sticky,” stain, cause bad breath, or cause swollen gums.
  • Brush your dentures every day with a denture-care product.
  • At bedtime, remove your dentures; soak them in water or a denture-cleansing product.
  • In time, your dentures may change shape and be uncomfortable; your dentist may need to adjust or replace them.

DRY MOUTH

  • “Dry Mouth,” a common condition, may make it hard to eat, swallow, taste, and speak.
  • Causes, besides age alone, include tooth decay, infections of the mouth, or various medications.
  • Treatment includes sipping water, not smoking, or reducing alcohol and caffeine. Your dentist or doctor may suggest artificial saliva.

ORAL CANCER

  • Cancer of the mouth is more likely to happen in elderly people.
  • Since pain is usually not an early symptom, a routine dental checkup is a good time for an oral cancer screen.
  • Lower your risk by not using ANY tobacco product, reducing alcohol, and using lip balm with sunscreen.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

American Dental Association:
1-800-621-8099; www.ada.org

National Institute on Aging Information Center:
1-800-222-2225; www.nia.nih.gov or www.nia.nih.gov/espanol

DOWNLOAD IN PDF FORMAT

Ask EverCare's CMO

Falls Prevention Awareness

Evercare wishes to help spread the word and offer useful tips to prevent falls and injuries.

IMPORTANT FACTS & FIGURES

  • Each year, millions of seniors (those 65 and older) fall
  • One in five falls causes a serious injury, such as head trauma (including traumatic brain injuries, known as TBIs) and broken bones (most commonly, hip fractures)
  • 2.5 million who experience a fall are treated in emergency departments; 700,000 are hospitalized
  • Medical costs for fall injuries: $34 billion annually

CONSEQUENCES OF FALLS

  • Fall injuries may make it hard for a person to get around, including those involved with everyday activities. Living alone may be more difficult.
  • Many seniors who fall, even if they are not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause a person to cut down on their daily activities, and in turn, may cause them to become weaker and to fall more.

WHAT CONDITIONS MAKE SENIORS MORE LIKELY TO FALL?

Most falls are caused by a combination of risk factors. However, any risk factors, once identified, can be changed to help prevent falls.

Risk factors may include:

  • Lower body weakness
  • Vitamin D deficiency
  • Difficulty in walking caused by foot pain and/or poor footwear
  • Vision problems
  • Medications such as blood thinners (may increase risk of head and brain injury), blood pressure medications (may cause lightheadedness), tranquilizers, sedatives, antidepressants (all may affect balance and steadiness) & a host of over-the-counter medications
  • Home hazards such as unsecured carpets and slippery floors, lack of handrails along stairs or in the bathroom, etc.

4 SIMPLE TIPS TO PREVENT FALLS:

1. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.
Ask your doctor or healthcare provider to evaluate your fall risk, review your medications, and to advise you about specific things you can do.

2. HAVE YOUR EYES CHECKED.

3. DO STRENGTH AND BALANCE EXERCISES.
Exercise to strengthen your legs and improve your balance. Tai Chi is one fun and effective example.

4. MAKE YOUR HOME SAFER.
Get rid of things you can trip over and consider adding grab bars. Also, make sure that you have railings on both sides of your stairs and that your house is well-lit.

Ask EverCare's CMO

Elder Abuse

DID YOU KNOW that many older people are victims of abuse?

THE PROFILE… WHO IS BEING ABUSED?

Although it can happen to any older person, more often the usual “target” victim appears frail, has no family or friends nearby, has memory problems, and depends on others for help with activities of everyday life, such as bathing, dressing, and taking medications.

The abuse, sometimes called elder mistreatment, can happen in the older person’s home, a family member’s house, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home.

TYPES OF ABUSE:

  • Physical abuse: Someone causes bodily harm by hitting, pushing, or slapping
  • Emotional/psychological abuse: Someone says, yells, or screams hurtful words, repeatedly ignores the older person, and/or prevents that person from seeing close friends and relatives
  • Neglect: Caretaker repeatedly does not respond to the person’s needs
  • Abandonment: Caregiver repeatedly leaves a person alone without planning for his/her care
  • Sexual abuse: Inappropriate and/or forceful sexual advances
  • Financial abuse: Money (may occur using credit cards or bank accounts and is increasingly accomplished via the Internet) and/or belongings are taken without permission or through manipulation
  • Healthcare fraud: May be committed by doctors, hospital staff, or other healthcare workers

SIGNS OF ABUSE:

(often combinations of the following are evident)

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Appears fearful, depressed and/or withdrawn
  • Unexplained bruises, scars
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Appears frightened and/or agitated
  • Looks disheveled/unkempt
  • Stops taking part in activities he/she once enjoyed

ELDER ABUSE WON’T STOP ON ITS OWN. MANY OLDER PEOPLE ARE TOO ASHAMED AND AFRAID TO REPORT IT.

IF YOU SUSPECT ELDER ABUSE, GET HELP!

If you think someone is in urgent danger, call 911 or your local police.

If you’re not sure how to proceed, call:

ELDERCARE LOCATOR
1-800-677-1116
FAMILY CAREGIVER ALLIANCE
1-800-445-8106

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Aging & Visual Health

SPOT PROBLEMS EARLY!

Since visual problems are increasingly common with age – and often preventable – it is important to be regularly checked by an eye care specialist (optometrist or ophthalmologist). He/she will check your vision and eye fluid pressure, and get a good look at the outside (cornea) and inside (retina) of your eyes.

PROTECT YOUR PRECIOUS EYES!

  • Wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat.
  • See your doctor regularly to check for diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure; both can cause visual problems if not treated.

RED FLAGS FOR SEEING AN EYE CARE SPECIALIST RIGHT AWAY:

  • Blurring or loss of vision
  • Double vision
  • Flashing of light
  • Pain in your eye(s)

EYE DISORDERS & DISEASES:

The following conditions may have few or no early symptoms, but may, if left untreated, lead to vision loss or blindness. Regular eye exams are key! A few common conditions:

  • Cataracts (cloudy areas which may cause blurred or hazy vision)
  • Corneal diseases (from scratches to infection; may lead to halo effect in vision)
  • Dry eye(s) (when tear glands don’t work well)
  • Glaucoma (elevated eye chamber pressure)
  • Retinal disorders (such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy)

TIPS FOR LOW VISION

(a common problem among the elderly):

If glasses, medicine, and/or surgery won’t help, consider these tips:

  • Upgrade lighting
  • Use large print materials
  • Use magnifying aids or audio tapes, etc.

HELPFUL RESOURCE

National Eye Institute Hotline: 1-301-496-5248

DOWNLOAD IN PDF FORMAT

Ask EverCare's CMO

Cancer: Myths & Facts

SIX MAJOR CANCERS INCLUDE:

1. COLORECTAL (COLON) CANCER: The second leading cancer killer in the U.S.

With timely screening (a test to look for disease before symptoms occur… precancerous polyps may be discovered and removed), it is preventable!

Get screened if you are 50 years old or older, or earlier if you have a positive family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.

2. GYNECOLOGIC CANCERS: Including cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, vulvar

All women are at risk and risk increases with age.

Of all the gynecologic cancers, only cervical cancer has a reliable screening test (i.e. the Pap test).

3. LUNG CANCER: The leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.

There are screening tests for lung cancer (i.e. x-ray machine which scans the lungs), but these tests are controversial and debated.

There is, however, no substitute for not smoking. For help quitting, call 1-800-QUIT NOW!

4. PROSTATE CANCER: The most common non-skin cancer among American men

Most men with prostate cancer are older than 65 years. As it is so slow-growing, most men do not die from the illness. Moreover, finding and treating prostate cancer before symptoms occur (ie testing the level of prostate specific antigen, PSA) may not improve your health or help you live longer.

Ask your doctor if a PSA screen is indicated.

5. SKIN CANCER: The most common cancer in the U.S.

Most cases of melanoma (deadliest form of skin cancer) are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.

To lower your risk:

  • Stay, midday, in the shade and wear protective clothing.
  • Wear a hat and sunglasses.
  • Use SPF 15 or greater sunscreen.
  • Avoid indoor tanning.

Screening for skin cancer involves regular total-body examinations by a skin doctor (dermatologist). Suspicious lesions are biopsied to determine if cancerous or precancerous cells are present.

6. BREAST CANCER: The most common cancer in American women, excluding skin cancer

Getting regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. Average-risk women age 50 to 74 years should receive a screening mammogram every two years. For women age 40 to 49 years, ask your doctor when to have a screening mammogram.

Ask EverCare's CMO

Depression in the Elderly

MYTHS & FACTS

  1. Depression is not a normal part of aging, although older adults are at an increased risk for experiencing depression.
  2. Depression is not just having “the blues” or having emotions related to major life events (e.g. mourning over the loss of a loved one, retirement, etc.).
  3. Older adults often do not seek help for this condition, and providers often misdiagnose and undertreat depression.

WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

Depression is a true medical condition (like diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure) that can be properly diagnosed and effectively treated.

Think DEPRESSION when one or more of the following are present:

  • feelings of sadness and anxiety lasting for weeks at a time
  • feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, and/or irritability
  • loss of interest in activities once pleasurable
  • fatigue and decreased energy
  • difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
  • sleeping difficulties, including early-morning
  • wakefulness and excessive sleeping
  • overeating or loss of appetite
  • thought or attempts at suicide
  • unexplained aches and pains, including headaches, digestive problems, abdominal cramps, muscle soreness, etc.

HOW MANY OLDER ADULTS ARE DEPRESSED?

Although it is estimated that about 1-5% of the elderly living in the community are depressed, this figure dramatically rises to 12% in those requiring home or hospital health care.

WHERE TO FIND HELP:

There are a number of excellent websites, including:

If you are concerned about a loved one, offer to go with him or her to see a health care provider to be diagnosed and treated. If he/she is in “crisis,” immediately call 911 or visit a nearby hospital’s emergency department.